Post shore

ABSTRACT

A post shore comprising first and second structural members telescopically interrelated to permit roughly adjusting the overall length of the post shore and variable length means for providing relatively fine adjustment of the overall length of the post shore. The lower end of the post shore is connected to an anchor and the upper end of the post shore is releasably connected to overhead structure to thereby permit the post shore to support the overhead structure.

United States Patent Schueler [15] 3,655,161 [4 1 Apr. 11, 1972 POST SHORE [72] lnventor: John A. Schueler, 20451 Mooncrest Circle, Huntington Beach, Calif. 92647 [22] Filed: May 5, 1970 [211 Appl. No.: 34,758

[52] US. Cl. ..248/354 P, 248/354 S [51] Int. Cl ..E2ld 15/20 [58] Field of Search ..248/354 P, 354 S; 254/101 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,958,933 5/1934 Williams ..248/354 P X 2,201,608 5/1940 Causey ..248/354 S X 2,529,292 1 1/ 1950 Greenfield ..248/354 P 2,181,163 11/1939 Akins; ..254/101 1,711,725 5/1929 Edwards et a1. ..248/354 P X Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz Attorney-Smyth, Roston & Pavitt [57] ABSTRACT A post shore comprising first and second structural members telescopically interrelated to permit roughly adjusting the overall length of the post shore and variable length means for providing relatively fine adjustment of the overall length of the post shore. The lower end of the post shore is connected to an anchor and the upper end of the post shore is releasably connected to overhead structure to thereby permit the post shore to support the overhead structure.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures T8761 a y 85a. 89a :17

Illlllllll IN VENTOR Jam/4. Sam/am ATTORNE Y5 POST SHORE Various construction projects such as freeway overcross construction involve the support of heavy overhead structures. The overhead structure typically includes some concrete elements which are cast in place at the construction site. When the concrete elements are being poured and when the concrete is curing, it is necessary that the overhead structures be supported by other support means. When the concrete elements cure, the overhead structure is typically self supporting.

The present invention fulfills this need by providing a post shore which serves as a temporary vertical support member while the concrete elements are being poured and while the concrete is curing. Although the post shore of this invention is particularly adapted for this specific use, it should be understood that it can be used as a support member in other environments.

The post shore of this invention is a strong structural member of adjustable length with the length adjustment permitting the post shore to be used to fulfill a relatively wide range of length requirements. The post shore includes first and second structural members. Rough length adjustment is provided by telescopically interrelating the structural members. The first and second structural members can be fixed in any one of several different relative positions to thereby provide a relatively rough length adjustment for the post shore. In a preferred form of the invention, each of the structural members is provided with axially spaced apertures through which a shear pin can be inserted to fix the relative axial position of the two structural members.

The present invention also provides for relatively fine adjustment of the length of the post shore. This is preferably accomplished by threaded adjustment means located near the lower end of the post shore. In a preferred construction, a screw projects axially upwardly into the lower structural member and a nut on the screw supports the lower end of the lower structural member. Preferably a bearing is provided between the nut and the lower end of the lower structural member, and a sleeve is preferably provided within the lower end of the lower structural member to guide the screw therein.

For many applications, the post shore cannot be perpendicular to the overhead structure or to the member of the overhead structure to which the post shore is connected. The present invention accommodates the angle between the post shore and the overhead structure, whatever that angle may be, by employing a flexible coupling type connection between the v post shore and the overhead structure. The flexible coupling connection preferably provides for relative pivotal movement between the post shore and the overhead structure.

In a preferred form of the invention, the coupling includes a projection extending upwardly from the upper structural member with the projection having an arcuate upper end surface. A plate rests on, and is supported by, the arcuate surface, and the plate is in turn releasably connected, as by a suitable releasable clamp, to the overhead structure. Suitable means are provided to limit relative sliding movement between the projection and the plate to thereby permit the plate to rock on the arcuate surface with the result that relative universal movement between the overhead structure and the post shore is permitted. If the threaded adjustment means are also provided on the upper end of the post shore, the projection may be provided, for example, by the upper end of the screw of the upper threaded adjustment means.

When used in a system, the lower end of the post shore is connected to a suitable anchor and the post shore extends generally vertically between such anchor and the overhead structure. In a preferred construction, the post shore terminates downwardly in a base plate which is secured to the anchor. The post shore is firmly anchored at both ends so that it can withstand an impact load such as when it is struck by a moving vehicle. Typically a number of the post shores are used with the post shores being arranged in spaced relationship and interconnected by suitable bracing. With the overhead structure thus supported, the concrete elements are cast and the concrete is allowed to cure. Upon curing of the concrete elements, the post shores are removed and can be reused at another location.

In a typical situation, the threaded adjustment means cannot be turned with the full weight of the overhead structure being supported by the post shores. Accordingly, some means for removing the post shores without turning of the threaded adjustment is necessary. To facilitate removal of the post shores, each of them preferably has a pair of lateral projections rigidly affixed to the lower structural member beneath which a conventional jack may be used to elevate the post shores. This allows manual turning of the threaded adjustment means to shorten the post shore sufficiently so that it carries no compressive load. The lateral projections preferably extend in opposite directions so that the upward lifting forces applied to the post shores will be equal on opposite sides of the post shore.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing two of the post shores being utilized to support overhead structure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view partially in section taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the lower end of one of the post shores;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the upper end of one of the post shores.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view partially in section showing a modified form of upper end construction for the post shore.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, reference numerals 11 and 13 designate vertically extending horizontally spaced, post shore being utilized to support an overhead structure 15. The post shores 11 and 13 are preferably identical and are rigidly mounted at their lower ends on anchors 17 and 19, respectively, with the anchors being supported on a suitable supporting surface 21 such as the ground. Cross braces 23 and 25 extend diagonally between the post shores 11 and 13 and are rigidly affixed thereto in any suitable manner.

The details of the post shore 11 can best be seen in FIGS. 2-5. The post shore 11 includes a lower structural member 27 and an upper structural member 29 with the upper structural member being telescopically received within the lower structural member. The structural members 27 and 29 are both of tubular construction and, in the embodiment illustrated, the upper structural member 29 includes a pair of channels 31 and 33 (FIG. 3) connected by a pair of plates 35 and 37 which are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the flanges of the channels. The opposite sides of the structural member 27 have shear plates 39 and 41, respectively, welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto and forming a portion of the structural member 27.

The lower structural member 27 has a plurality of apertures 43 therein, and the upper structural member 29 has a plurality of apertures 45 therein. The apertures 43 are arranged in two axially or vertically extending rows with the apertures of each of the rows being axially spaced. As shown in FIG. 3, the apertures 43 are formed in the opposite walls of the outer structural member 27 and the shear plates 39 and 41 with each of the apertures 43 in one of these walls having a corresponding aligned aperture 43 in the opposite wall of the structural member 27 The apertures 45 are correspondingly arranged in two axially extending rows on opposite sides of the upper structural member 27. As shown in FIG. 3, the apertures 45 project through the plates 35 and 37.

To permit relatively rough adjustment of the overall or combined length of the structural members 27 and 29, appropriate ones of the apertures 43 and 45 are brought into alignment and one or more shear pins 47 (three being shown in FIG. 2) are inserted through such aligned apertures. Each of the shear pins 47 is retained in the associated apertures in any suitable manner such as by a head 49 on the pin and a cotter pin 51 or other suitable retaining means. The number of shear pins 47 utilized can be varied depending upon the load which the post shore 11 is to withstand. An important function of the shear plates 39 and 41 is to provide additional bearing area to withstand the load applied bythe overhead structure 15 to the post shore 11.

The post shore 11 includes a base 53 (FIGS. 2 and 4) which, in the embodiment illustrated, is in the form of a plate. The base 53 is connected to variable length means 55 (FIG. 2) which supports the lower structural member 27. The base 53 is rigidly connected to the anchor 17 by any suitable means such as anchor bolts 57. In the embodiment illustrated, the anchor 17 is a large, heavy concrete member. The function of the anchor is to retain the lower end of the post shore 11 in fixed position when the post shore is being utilized to support or assist in supporting the overhead structure 15. Accordingly, means other than the concrete block 17 can be used to perform this function.

The variable length means 55 includes a screw 59 and a nut 61 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The lower end of the screw 59 is suitably connected to the base 53 as by a plurality of webs 63 which are welded to the screw and to the base. The nut 61 has screw threads adapted to cooperate with the external threads of the screw 59, and a pair of turning elements 65 are welded to the nut 61 and project radially outwardly therefrom to facilitate the manual turning of the nut 61 on the screw 59.

The lower end of the structural member 27 is partially closed by an apertured end plate or end cap 67. An annular bearing 69 is sandwiched between the nut 61 and the end cap 67. The upper end portion of the screw 59 projects axially through the end cap 67 and into the lower end portion of the structural member 27. An annular guide sleeve 71 is welded or otherwise secured to the inner face of the end cap 67 and projects axially into the lower structural member 27. The upper end portion of the screw 59 is slidably received within the guide sleeve 71 and guides the screw therein. Another function of the guide sleeve 71 is to assist in preventing any tendency of the lower structural member 27 to tilt or rock on the bearing 69. A stop plate 72 is welded to the upper end of the screw 59 to prevent withdrawal of the screw from the member 27.

From FIG. 4 it can be seen that the lower structural member 27 is supported by the nut 61 with the bearing 69 being held in compression between the end cap 67 and the upper face of the nut 61. The bearing 69 is preferably constructed of hard wear resistant metal capable of withstanding the turning action of the nut 61 thereon when the bearing is compressively loaded. In addition, the bearing 69 provides a larger supporting surface area than the upper face of the nut 61.

By turning of the nut 61, the position thereof along the screw 59 and hence the axial position of the structural member 27 can be adjusted. This provides fine adjustment of the overall length of the post shore 11.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5, a second variable length means 73 (FIG. 2) is provided adjacent the upper end of the post shore 11. The variable length means 73 is substantially identical to the variable length means 55. The variable length means 73 includes a screw 75 (FIG. and a nut 77 with the screw 75 passing through an opening in an upper end cap 79 of the upper structural member 29. A guide sleeve 80 is rigidly connected to the end cap 79 and performs the same functions as the guide sleeve 71. A stop plate 80a is welded to the lower end of the screw 75 to prevent withdrawal of such screw from the member 29. The nut 77 has radially projecting gripping elements 81 and an annular bearing 83 is sandwiched between the lower face of the nut 77 and the upper face of the end cap 79. Accordingly, by turning of the nut 81, the amount which the screw 75 extends can be adjusted.

As it is not always possible for the post shore 11 to extend perpendicularly relative to the overhead structure 15, the present invention provides a flexible coupling for releasably connecting the upper end of the post shore 11 to the overhead structure 15. To this end, the upper end of the screw 75, which constitutes an upwardly extending projection, has an arcuate upper end surface 85. In the embodiment illustrated, the arcuate surface 85 is convex and appears convex in any axial sectional view. For example, the arcuate surface 85 may be part spherical.

A cooperating member in the form of a plate 87 having a lower surface 89 is supported on the arcuate surface 85 with the surfaces 85 and 89 being in engagement. The surface 89 is planar in the embodiment illustrated, and accordingly, the plate 87 can rock or pivot on the surface 85 in any direction.

To prevent separation of the plate 87 and the screw 75, a retainer 91 is provided. The retainer 91 includes a lower wall 93 (FIG. 5) having an aperture therethrough through which the screw 75 projects and two posts 95 for connecting the plate 93 to the plate 87. A pair of pins 97 are affixed to the upper end of the screw 75 and project laterally outwardly in opposite directions between the posts 95. Accordingly, removal of the plate 87 from the screw 75 during normal use of the post shore 11 is not possible.

The overhead structure 15 may be of various constructions such as a freeway overcrossing. As the invention is not limited to use with any particular type of overhead structure 15, the overhead structure is not described in detail herein. For illustrative purposes, the overhead structure 15 is shown as including an I-beam 99 (FIGS. 2 and 5). The I-beam 99 is of conventional construction and includes lower oppositely extending flanges 101. The I-beam 99 is normally a temporary cap beam which is removed when the post shores 11 and 13 are removed.

To releasably attach the plate 87 to the I-beam 99, a pair of clamping members 103 and 105 are employed. The clamping members 103 and 105 are releasably attached to the plate 87 in any suitable manner such as by threaded fasteners 107 and 109. The clamping members 103 and 105 clamp the flanges 101 tightly against the upper surface of the plate 87 to thereby releasably and firmly attach the plate to the I-beam 99.

The post shore 11 is particularly adapted for use during the construction and arrangement of permanent support members (not shown) for the overhead structure 15. During the time that the post shores 11 and 13 are installed, the necessary number of permanent support members can be installed. This may involve the pouring of concrete and then allowing sufficient time for the concrete to cure.

In use of the post shore 11, the structural member 29 is moved axially relative to the structural member 27 until approximately the desired length of the post shore is obtained. At this time, the shear pin 47 is inserted through the aligned apertures 43 and 45 to thereby lock the structural members 27 and 29 in the desired position. Thereafter, fine adjustment of the overall length of the post shore 11 is obtained through turning of either or both of the nuts 61 and 77.

The plate 87 can be rocked on the arcuate end surface 85 to accommodate any angle normally encountered between the post shore 11 and the I-beam 99. When installed in this fashion, the post shore 11 is held in compression between the anchor 17 and the overhead structure 15. The anchor 17 may itself be retained as by rods or other suitable means (not shown) extending through the anchor and into the ground therebelow.

In normal use, the compressive loads taken by the post shore 11 are sufficient to prevent manual turning of the nuts 61 and 77. Accordingly, to remove the post shore 11, it is necessary to use a jack to elevate the post shore. To accomplish this, a pair of plates 111 (only one being shown in FIG. 2) are welded to the opposite sides of the lower structural member 27 and webs 113 are welded to the outer lower ends of the plates 111 and extend therebetween. Diagonal braces 115 extend diagonally between the webs 113 and the lower structural member 27 and are suitably rigidly affixed thereto.

By positioning a pair of jacks beneath the webs 113, the entire post shore 11 and the overhead structure 15 can be elevated sufficiently to remove sufficient compressive forces from the nut 61 and the screw 59 to permit manual turning of the nut 61 and/or the nut 77 to shorten the post shore 11,,v

When the post shore 11 has been shortened sufficiently, the jacks are removed and the upper end of the post shore is disconnected from the l-beam 99 by releasing of the threaded fasteners 107 and 109.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate upper end construction for the post shore which eliminates the upper variable length means 73. In FIG. 6, parts corresponding to parts shown in FIG. 5 are designated by corresponding reference characters followed by the letter a.

A projection 117 is rigidly affixed as by welding to the end cap 79a. The projection 117 has an arcuate upper end surface 850 which is identical to the surface 85 (FIG. 5). A plate 870 has a lower surface 89a which is supported on the surface 85a with the surfaces 85a and 89a being in engagement. The plate 87a is retained on the projection 117a by a retainer 91a which is identical to the retainer 91. Similarly, an l-beam 99a is releasably connected to the plate 87a by clamping members 103a and 105a as described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 5.

The construction shown in FIG. 6 allows for relative universal pivotal movement of the plate 87a relative to the projection 117. However, the construction shown in FIG. 6 eliminates the screw 75, the nut 77, the bearing 83, and the guide sleeve 80.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

lclaim:

1. A post shore for at least assisting in supporting overhead structure, said post shore being connectible adjacent the lower end thereof to an anchor and connectible adjacent the upper end thereof to the overhead structure, said post shore comprising:

first and second telescopically interrelated structural members, said first and second structural members being extendible and retractable in telescoping relationship to permit varying of the combined length of said structural members; first means for fixing the structural members in any one of several different relative positions to thereby provide the .desired combined length of said structural members;

a base having means thereon cooperable with means on the anchor to rigidly connect the base to the anchor;

variable length means between said base and said first structural member for providing relatively fine adjustment of the overall length of said post shore;

second means for releasably joining the second structural member adjacent the upper end thereof to the overhead structure whereby the post shore can extend between said anchor and said overhead structure to at least assist in supporting the overhead structure;

said first means including alignable apertures in said first and second structural members and a shear pin insertable into preselected ones of said alignable apertures to thereby provide the desired combined length of said structural members;

said variable length means including a screw extending from said base into the lower end of said first structural member, a nut on said screw beneath said first structural member and a bearing between said nut and said first structural member, said nut supporting said first structural member;

third means for mounting said second means for pivotal movement relative to said second structural member; and

an arm affixed to and projecting generally laterally of said first structural member for cooperation with a jack to permit the post shore to be elevated by such jack. 2. A post shore as defined in claim 1 including aligning means within said lower end of said first structural member for at least assisting in controlling the relative angular relationship between said screw and said first structural member.

3. A post shore as defined in claim 1 wherein said third means includes an upwardly extending projection connected to said second structural member, said projection having an arcuate upper end surface, said third means including a plate supported on said arcuate upper end surface and means for retaining said plate on said projection.

4. A post shore as defined in claim 1 including variable length means at the upper end of said second structural member for providing relatively fine adjustment of the overall length of said post shore. 

1. A post shore for at least assisting in supporting overhead structure, said post shore being connectible adjacent the lower end thereof to an anchor and cOnnectible adjacent the upper end thereof to the overhead structure, said post shore comprising: first and second telescopically interrelated structural members, said first and second structural members being extendible and retractable in telescoping relationship to permit varying of the combined length of said structural members; first means for fixing the structural members in any one of several different relative positions to thereby provide the desired combined length of said structural members; a base having means thereon cooperable with means on the anchor to rigidly connect the base to the anchor; variable length means between said base and said first structural member for providing relatively fine adjustment of the overall length of said post shore; second means for releasably joining the second structural member adjacent the upper end thereof to the overhead structure whereby the post shore can extend between said anchor and said overhead structure to at least assist in supporting the overhead structure; said first means including alignable apertures in said first and second structural members and a shear pin insertable into preselected ones of said alignable apertures to thereby provide the desired combined length of said structural members; said variable length means including a screw extending from said base into the lower end of said first structural member, a nut on said screw beneath said first structural member and a bearing between said nut and said first structural member, said nut supporting said first structural member; third means for mounting said second means for pivotal movement relative to said second structural member; and an arm affixed to and projecting generally laterally of said first structural member for cooperation with a jack to permit the post shore to be elevated by such jack.
 2. A post shore as defined in claim 1 including aligning means within said lower end of said first structural member for at least assisting in controlling the relative angular relationship between said screw and said first structural member.
 3. A post shore as defined in claim 1 wherein said third means includes an upwardly extending projection connected to said second structural member, said projection having an arcuate upper end surface, said third means including a plate supported on said arcuate upper end surface and means for retaining said plate on said projection.
 4. A post shore as defined in claim 1 including variable length means at the upper end of said second structural member for providing relatively fine adjustment of the overall length of said post shore. 